Aftermarket (?) Block Heater Help

[ashfleeburgooben]

Hey everyone. Long story short, it's really cold up here in Canada right now. My Beetle has NEVER needed to be plugged in in all the years I've owned him as I've always had him in the garage.

Just got new beetle to go in there though and since he's older he has to go outside now. So yesterday morning, no go. In his defense he is getting old.

I rustled around the engine and finally found the block heater cable not realizing that Beetles apparently don't usually come with block heaters (as I've discovered researching today) and plugged him in hoping a night of heat might help him out.

This morning, same story, maybe even worse. A pathetic whimper then nothing.

I wait a few hours for the day to warm up a little (hooray! up to -27C from -37C!) and plug on the jumper cables and after a bit he finally gets himself running again.

I unplug the block heater and go to put it back in the engine compartment when I find what is in picture number 1.

VW Beetle Block Heater - Imgur

It's a little hard to see because I had him in the garage by this point but that is both ends of the power cable. One looks literally like it has been cut off!

Pictures 2 and 3 are the block heater itself. Seems to be pretty fancy. All metal and such and such instead of a silly little glued on one. Pictures 4 and 5 are where the other end of this cable is supposed to be. Nothing there!

So the long winded question later, where do I find a replacement cable? I can't even tell the manufacturer of the heater, there appears to be no writing on it anywhere that I can tell. Anyone have any ideas?

[IndyTom]

WOW, You are having quite some frigid temperatures up in Canada. I am complaining when the temps get -11 around here. I can't imagine temperatures -33 or more. That is crazy. It's amazing your beetle is running at all. I have no idea about the cable for your block heater. It is something that usually only the Diesel cars have but in Canada I can see where it could be very useful for any car to have.
I did a search for block heaters but couldn't find any cable's that might your heater. You may check with a local Autoparts store perhaps they can track down the proper cable for you.
Or perhaps a different block heater that you could use.
What type of motoroil are you using? I would suggest Castrol Edge 0W30 especially in your climate. They do have dipstick heaters that you can plug in to keep the oil warm. Not sure if that would help at all.

I feel for you and hope you will get something to keep your poor beetle warm and cozy this winter.

Best of Luck!

[IndyTom]

Model 16 250 WATTS

Here is an aftermarket Block heater that I have found. Perhaps there is a local store that can recommend a heater that they have in stock.